From Anchorage to Tanzania, Alaskans get a custom safari with the help of a friend

Back in 2018, Amana Mbise arrived at the University of Alaska Anchorage to teach in its social work department.

Mbise’s family is from Arusha, Tanzania. His hometown is in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro, in the middle of a safari. He and his family grew up around the Ngorongoro Crater, the Serengeti and many other parks and conservation areas.

As part of his orientation to Anchorage and Alaska, Mbise’s boss introduced him to Paul Wasko, another teacher at UAA. The two became fast friends — and it wasn’t long before Wasko started talking about visiting Tanzania with a group of Alaskans.

Wasko and Mbise found many willing participants, particularly through Wasko’s church. But then the COVID-19 pandemic swamped everyone’s travel plans.

Last year, the duo revived the trip, in part because Mbise’s family started up a safari company called Lendimi African Safaris. Many of Mbise’s family members had extensive experience. “My brothers worked as guides on Mount Kilimanjaro,” he said. “They’ve summited at least 100 times.”

When it came time to plan for the Tanzania safari earlier this year, interest had waned. Still, there was a solid group of eight Alaskans who bought their tickets and said “Let’s go!”

Mbise noted there are all sorts of safaris. “Some people land at Mount Kilimanjaro airport and get on another plane to go see the animals,” he said. For some,…